We had a new member in our support group last night, that is a binge eater.

She won't eat in front of people, but admitted that she eats and eats till she is sick, when she is by herself. She doesn't make her self throw up, but will throw up if she eats so much that her stomach can't handle it.

I have never had a problem eating in front of people, so I need input on how to support her.

Any advice on this subject would be appreciated.

I think she needs more help than what a support group can provide. I do not have a lot of experience with eating disorders but, from others that I know, they typically refer them on to a specialist.

She has been going for years, and he put her in touch with our group.

From what I gather, her insurance is running out so she is having to look for other ways, for help.

It is not as bad as it once was, but she is still a long way from a cure.

Oh boy. Let me talk to my DH and see if he knows of anything. I'll probably PM you.

Depending on what type of support group you're part of depends on whether or not I'd even encourage you to get involved.

I'm part of weight loss surgery support group (we all have a variety of major eating disorders) and I'd encourage this person to seek professional assistance.

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Rosie
Single mom of 2 boys~ DS#1 (17) & DS#2 (6)
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If she can't get much help anywhere else she needs to get into OA~Overeaters Anonymous or something similar. The problem is there is usually an underlying issue the person is dealing with that they may be forced to confront in order to stop the binge eating i.e. anxiety, trauma, etc. A professional would be best but any support program is better than none at all.

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"If Tyranny and Oppression come to this land, it will be in the guise of fighting a foreign enemy."
- James Madison

It sounds like she is taking a great step by sharing this information
first of all. If she is a binge eater, then she is definitely ashamed
and embarrassed by this.

But she is coming forward for help! We all have underlying
problems for doing some of the things we do, but the hardest
step is to admit it and ask for help.

I don't have any idea what to say to help her specifically,
but please make her understand that she NEEDS to keep
talking about it and keep coming to the group for support!!

I would recommend that she seek help at Overeaters Anonymous in addition to your group. The support you can offer is allowing her to speak about her feelings. Something that can help her is to have her pre-plan her meals and keep a food diary. Also have her write about how she is feeling before and after her binges.

It sound like she needs to get further support like the other ladies mentioned. She needs to figure out why she is binge eating.